Caceres's 77th minute effort, virtually one minute after subbing on for Costa Barbarouses, nullified Alemao's stunning long-range strike earlier in the evening, which appeared to give the home side invaluable momentum.

Adelaide arguably had the better of a scoreless first-half arm wrestle but the Reds were unable to make the most of their numerous chances.

Fabian Barbiero, the Reds' hero last week in Brisbane, had the first real opportunity in the 10th minute when he pulled the trigger with a sweetly-hit but ill-directed hit from long range.

Two minutes later, Mathew Leckie's half-chance was deflected by Phoenix goalkeeper Liam Reddy - in his first game for Wellington after transferring from the Roar - and fell in to the lap of Cristiano, but the Brazilian was subsequently unable to properly connect.

Leckie looked the goods in the 18th minute, but he was ruled off-side after receiving a terrific, penetrating ball from Scott Jamieson.

United continued to attack and have the majority of possession.

It nearly paid dividends in the 22nd minute when, following a great run, Michael Marrone connected well with a shot which eluded a diving Reddy, but ultimately smacked into the near post.

Wellington battled hard but was chasing tail for much of the half.

The visitors were forced to wait 41 minutes before their first genuine attempt courtesy of Troy Hearfield, but his shot was comfortably pouched by Reds custodian Eugene Galekovic.

A minute later, the ball fell for Daniel, whose attempted toe-poke was blocked by Adelaide's defence, and Paul Ifill's follow-up shot sailed wide.

The Phoenix controlled the play early in the second half, but it was acting Reds skipper Lucas Pantelis who, against the flow, came within centimetres of breaking the deadlock with a single-touch attempt on the back of an excellent pass from Cassio who had threaded his way through two defenders.

United got out of jail one minute later when the normally reliable Tim Brown missed a sitter of a header on the Phoenix counterattack.

Alemao made Wellington pay in the 57th minute with one of the goals of the season, a magnificent strike after beating Daniel one-on-one.

The Reds had their tails up and through Michael Marrone and Cristiano, had a few chances to extend their lead.

Adelaide looked like hanging on until Caceres, just moments after subbing on, left United's defenders for dead and knocked one in off Reds goalie Galekovic to equalise in the 77th minute.

lemao had given Adelaide the lead during the second half, but Phoenix sub Adrian Caceres/a Eugene Galekovic own goal got things level.